University of East London Men’s 1st Team face Table toppers Cardiff Metropolitan University in a Premier South Division clash on Wednesday at Hackney Marshes as they look to return to winning ways
The hosts go into the game off the back of a 2-1 defeat away to The University Of Bath 1st team but Cemal Adgelen remains optimistic.
“Our aims are to keep playing as a team and to enjoy our football. When you enjoy it results start coming your way. I believe in the team that we have and if we continue playing the way we play we will be title contenders.” Adgelen said.
Adgelen’s words come after an indifferent start to the season for UEL, and a victory on Wednesday will see the league form consist of three wins and four losses in their first seven games of the season.
UEL opened their campaign with three consecutive losses against Bath, Cardiff and Hartpury, as they initially struggled to come to terms with life in BUCS’ top football division.
However UEL then produced a morale-boosting performance, which saw them come from 2-1 down to win 3-2. and beat an in-form University of South Wales side, who had been unbeaten since January.
They then followed this up with a 1-0 win at home to Chichester men’s 1sts team before losing their previous game.
The game against Cardiff Met marks their second meeting of the season with the Welsh side winning 3-2 in a tight affair.
Coming into the game UEL have been boosted by some positive team news. Centre back Simon Dahl may return from an ankle ligament damage injury. The return could provide much needed cover in defence if UEL have serious title ambitions.
The 1st team will also have winger Ade Joshua back from a groin injury, which is sure to boost the forward line in UEL attempts to recover from their poor start to the season.
A win for UEL could see them open up a three point gap over Chichester at the bottom and close the gap between themselves and the top two to just two points.